TYPES

Mental illness refers to health conditions that affect how a person thinks, feels, behaves, and copes with daily life.
They are real medical conditions — just like heart disease or diabetes — and many people recover or improve with the right support.

In the UK, support is provided through the NHS and community services.

• Constant worry, fear, or panic
   
• Examples: Panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias
   

• Long-lasting sadness, low energy, loss of interest
   
• Feeling hopeless or empty
   

• Extreme mood changes (high → low)
   
• Periods of high energy (mania) and depression
   

• After frightening or painful experiences
   
• Flashbacks, nightmares, feeling unsafe
   

• Losing touch with reality
   
• Hearing voices, strong unusual beliefs
   

• Serious problems with food and body image
   
• Restricting, bingeing, or purging
   

• Repeated unwanted thoughts
   
• Compulsions (checking, cleaning, counting)
   

• Long-term emotional and relationship difficulties
   
• Intense feelings, fear of abandonment
   

• Alcohol or drug dependence
   
• Loss of control over use
   

• Brain-based differences from childhood
   
• Examples: Autism, ADHD
   

You or someone may need support if there is:

✅ Ongoing sadness or fear
✅ Loss of motivation
✅ Sleep problems
✅ Mood swings
✅ Withdrawal from others
✅ Feeling worthless
✅ Confusion or paranoia
✅ Thoughts of self-harm

If symptoms last more than 2 weeks or affect daily life, help is important.
 

There is usually more than one cause, such as:

🧬 Genetics (family history)
😞 Trauma or stress
🩺 Physical illness
💊 Medication effects
🍺 Alcohol/drugs
😴 Poor sleep
🤍 Loneliness or loss

It is never your fault.

Most people improve with the right care, which may include:

• CBT
   
• Counselling
   
• Trauma therapy
   

• Prescribed and monitored by doctors
   

• Sleep routine
   
• Gentle exercise
   
• Healthy eating
   
• Reducing alcohol
   

• Family
   
• Support groups
   
• Carers
   

• Music therapy
   
• Relaxation
   
• Daily routines
   

Get help immediately if someone:

❗ Feels unsafe
❗ Has suicidal thoughts
❗ Is hearing voices
❗ Is very confused
❗ May harm themselves or others

In the UK:

• 📞 Call 999 (emergency)
   
• 📞 Call 111 (urgent advice)
   

💙 Mental illness does NOT mean weakness.
💙 It means you are human and need support.
💙 Help works. Recovery is possible.
 

You are not alone.